Service status display on a handheld communication device

ABSTRACT

A method, device and system for indicating availability of services to a communication device is provided. The method comprises: receiving a service indication of availability of a communication service from a first communications network and a second communications network via a non-traffic channel of each of the first and the second communications networks; when the communication service is available to the communication device from both the second communications network and the first communications network, issuing a service information request to the second communications network over the non-traffic channel of the second communications network; and flashing an indicator on the communication device at a first rate when the communication device roams from a first geographic region into a second geographic region and the second geographic region provides a communication mode for the communication device that is not available to the communication device in the first geographic region.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/681,448 filed on Mar. 2, 2007.

FIELD

The disclosure described herein relates generally to a handheldcommunication device that is capable of communicating with differentcommunication services.

BACKGROUND

Modern handheld communication devices are configured with multiplewireless transceivers which provide the device with multiple wirelesscommunication modes. For instance, a handheld communication device couldbe configured for voice communication over a Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM) network, and data communication with Bluetoothperipheral devices. A handheld computing device could be configured fordata communication over both a General Packet Radio Service/EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (GPRS/EDGE) network and a local WiFi (IEEE802.11x) network.

Configuring a single communication device to communicate with differentcommunication services obviously enhances the versatility of the device.However, this enhanced versatility can be problematic since the useroften has limited control over the communication services that areavailable at any given time. As a result, the user might expect thedevice to be communicating over a free WiFi network, when, in fact, thedevice is actually communicating over a billable GSM network. Similarly,the user might expect the device to be communicating over a high-speedshort-range WiFi network, when, in fact, the device has moved out ofrange of the WiFi network and is actually communicating over a low-speedlong-range GPRS/EDGE network.

US Patent Publication No. 2004/0203674 describes a wirelesscommunication device that displays detailed information concerning voiceand data calls that are in progress. The detailed information includescaller name, caller number, duration, data rate, connection status, andservice type. The detailed information is only available when the callis active.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,001 describes a wireless communication device thatis configured to indicate the current service mode to a user of thedevice. The service modes contemplated are (1) storing service mode inwhich new messages destined for the device are not received by thedevice; (2) basic service mode in which the new messages are received bythe device; and (3) full service mode in which both new and storedmessages are received by the device. The device measures signal qualityon forward and reverse traffic channels to transition between theservice modes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,390 describes a cellular telephone that has a lightemitting diode LED controller, and a multi-coloured status LED. The LEDcontroller controls the sequence of flashes and the flash colour of theLED to indicate the status of the device. Possible status indicatorsinclude no service, in-service, roaming and message waiting.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,222 describes a wireless communication device thatautomatically connects to a short-range, high-speed wireless (IEEE802.11) LAN when such a connection is available, and automaticallyswitches to a long-range, lower speed wireless (CDMA) LAN when thedevice is out of range of the high-speed LAN. LAN detection is performedeither by (1) passively detecting the presence of a beacon signal or (2)transmitting a probe request message and receiving a response indicatingthe presence of the LAN. LAN switching is performed without notificationto the user.

General

According to the disclosure described herein, a handheld communicationdevice may determine the communication services that are available tothe communication device without opening a traffic channel with aprovider of the communication services, and provides an indication ofthe available communication services to a user of the communicationdevice.

In accordance with a first aspect of the disclosure, a method ofindicating availability of services to a communication device isprovided. The method comprises: receiving a service indication ofavailability of a communication service from a first communicationsnetwork and a second communications network via a non-traffic channel ofeach of the first and the second communications networks; when thecommunication service is available to the communication device from boththe second communications network and the first communications network,issuing a service information request to the second communicationsnetwork over the non-traffic channel of the second communicationsnetwork; and flashing an indicator on the communication device at afirst rate when the communication device roams from a first geographicregion into a second geographic region and the second geographic regionprovides a communication mode for the communication device that is notavailable to the communication device in the first geographic region.

The method may further comprise flashing the indicator at a second ratewhen the communication device roams from the first geographic regioninto the second geographic region and the second geographic region doesnot provide a communication mode for the communication device that isavailable to the communication device in the first geographic region.

In the method, the first communications network may be a cellularcommunications network; and the second communications network may be alocal area network.

The method may further comprise generating text information screendepicting a table specifying the availability of the communicationservices to the communication device.

The method may further comprise when the service is available to thecommunication device from only the first communications network, issuingthe service information request to the first communications network overthe non-traffic channel of the first communications network.

The method may further comprise continuously monitoring theavailabilities of the first communications network and the secondcommunications network for the communication device; and upon detectinga condition that the communication device cannot utilize the firstcommunications network, but can utilize the second communicationsnetwork, establishing communications for the communication servicethrough the second communications network.

In the method, the communication service may comprise any of an Internetservice, an e-mail communication service or a voice telephony service.

In the method, the service indication may comprise an indication of anauthorization for use of the communication service.

The method may further comprise providing an indication of thecommunication service via one of a display icon and a tactile indicator.

In the method, the indicator may be a light emitting diode (LED).

The method may further comprising prior to receiving the serviceindication, transmitting a service information request from thecommunication device requesting an indication of availability of thecommunication service at the communication device to a provider of thecommunication service over the non-traffic channel of an availablecommunication mode of the communication device.

In a second aspect, a communication device is provided. The devicecomprises: a microprocessor; memory; a service authorization procedurestored in the memory; and a communication mode indicating procedure. Theservice authorization procedure provides instructions to themicroprocessor to: receive a service indication of availability of acommunication service from a cellular network and a local area network,via a non-traffic channel of the cellular network and the local areanetwork without opening traffic channels of the cellular network and thelocal area network; issue a service information request to the localarea network over the non-traffic channel of the local area network whenservice from both the cellular network and the local area network areavailable to the communication device; and issue the service informationrequest to the cellular network over the non-traffic channel of thecellular network when service from only the cellular network isavailable to the communication device. The communication mode indicatingprocedure provides instructions to the microprocessor to flash anindicator on the communication device at a first rate when thecommunication device roams from a first geographic region into a secondgeographic region and that second geographic region provides acommunication mode for the communication device that is unavailable tothe communication device in the first geographic region.

In the communication device, the service authorization procedure mayfurther provide instructions to the microprocessor to issue a serviceinformation request to the local area network over the non-trafficchannel of the local area network when service from the local areanetwork is available to the communication device.

In the communication device, the communication mode indication proceduremay further provide instructions to the microprocessor to generate atext information screen depicting a table specifying availability of thecommunication service to the communication device.

In the communication device, the cellular network may utilize ahigh-speed short-range communication protocol and the local area networkmay utilize a low-speed long-range communication protocol.

In the communication device, the communication service may comprise anyof an internet service, an e-mail communication service or a voicetelephony service.

In the communication device, the service indication may comprise anindication of an authorization for use of the cellular network or thelocal area network.

In the communication device, the user-indication may comprise one of adisplay icon and a tactile indicator for indicating accessibilities ofthe cellular network or the local area network at the communicationdevice.

In a third aspect, a tangible computer readable medium carryingprocessing instructions for a communication device is provided. Theprocessing instructions, when executed by a computer microprocessor ofthe communication device, enables the communication device to performthe following steps: receiving a service indication of availability of acommunication service from a cellular network and a local area networkvia a non-traffic channel of the cellular network and the local areanetwork; when the communication service is available to thecommunication device from both the cellular network and the local areanetwork, issuing the service information request to the local areanetwork over the non-traffic channel of the local area network; when thecommunication service is available to the communication device from onlythe cellular network, issuing the service information request to thecellular network over the non-traffic channel of the cellular network;and flashing an indicator on the communication device at a first ratewhen the communication device roams from a first geographic region intoa second geographic region and the second geographic region provides acommunication mode for the communication device that is unavailable tothe communication device in the first geographic region.

In the tangible computer readable medium, when the communication serviceis available to the communication device from the local area network,the processing instructions, when executed by the computermicroprocessor of the communication device, may further enable thecommunication device to issue a service information request to the localarea network over the non-traffic channel of the local area network.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there may beprovided a method of providing a user-indication of communicationservices that are available to a handheld communication device. Themethod, according to this other aspect of the disclosure, may begin byreceiving, at the handheld communication device, a service indication ofone of a plurality of communication services, via one of a plurality ofwireless communication modes, to the communication device. The handheldcommunication device may receive the service indication from a providerof the one communication service via a wireless non-traffic channel ofthe one wireless communication mode. The communication device may thenprovide a user-indication of the communication service availabilities inaccordance with the received service indication.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure, there may beprovided a wireless communication device that is configured to provide auser-indication of communication services that are available to thecommunication device. The wireless communication device, according tothis aspect of the disclosure, may comprise service authorization means,and communication mode indicating means in communication with theservice authorization means.

The service authorization means may be configured receive a serviceindication of an availability of one of a plurality of communicationservices, via one of a plurality of wireless communication modes, to thecommunication device. The communication device may receive the serviceindication from a provider of the one communication service via awireless non-traffic channel of the one wireless communication mode. Thecommunication mode indicating means may be configured to provide auser-indication of the communication service availabilities inaccordance with the received service indication.

In accordance with still another aspect of the disclosure, there may beprovided a computer readable medium that carries processing instructionsfor an electronic communication device. The processing instructions,when executed by a computer microprocessor of the communication device,may enable the device to provide a user-indication of communicationservices that are available to the communication device.

The method, according to this aspect, may begin by receiving, at thecommunication device, a service indication of an availability of one ofa plurality of communication services, via one of a plurality ofwireless communication modes, to the communication device. Thecommunication device may receive the service indication from a providerof the one communication service via a wireless non-traffic channel ofthe one wireless communication mode. The communication device may thenprovide a user-indication of the communication service availabilities inaccordance with the received service indication.

In an implementation, the communication service may be available to thecommunication device via the communication mode, and the user-indicationcomprises a user-indication of the communication mode for the availablecommunication service. Preferably, the communication device isconfigured to receive a plurality of the communication services and tocommunication over a plurality of the communication modes; and thecommunication mode user-indication comprises a graphical informationscreen depicting a table specifying the communication mode over whicheach communication service is available to the communication device.

Also, in the implementation, the available communication modes maycomprise a high-speed short-range communication protocol, and alow-speed long-range communication protocol, and the communicationservices comprise data communication services and/or voice telephonyservices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a communications network,including the handheld communication device according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the handheld communication devicedepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting certain functional details ofthe data processing means of the handheld communication device,including the service authorization procedure, and the communicationmode indicating procedure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram depicting certain additional functionaldetails of the handheld communication device;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting, by way of overview, the methodperformed by the handheld communication device when providing auser-indication of communication services that are available to thehandheld communication device;

FIG. 6 (comprising FIGS. 6 a to 6 b) is a flow chart depicting, indetail, the method performed by the handheld communication device whenproviding the user-indication of available communication services; and

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are screenshots that depict sample user-indications ofavailable communication services and communication modes.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a communications network, denotedgenerally as 100. The communications network 100 is shown comprising atleast one wireless communication device 200, and a wirelesscommunications network and a wired communications network both incommunication with the wireless communication devices 200. The wirelesscommunications network comprises a primary wireless network 219 and asecondary wireless network 221. In the embodiment shown, the primarywireless network comprises a long-range cellular network, and thesecondary wireless network comprises a short range local area wirelessnetwork. However, the wireless communications network is not limited toany particular number or configuration of wireless networks. Forinstance, the primary and secondary wireless networks 219, 221 may bothcomprise long-range cellular networks, or short range wireless networks.Further, the wireless communications network may comprises a pluralityof long-range cellular networks and/or a plurality of short rangewireless networks.

As shown, the long-range wireless cellular network 219 comprises aplurality of remote base station subsystems (BSSs) 400, and a corenetwork 500 in communication with the BSSs 400. The short-range localarea network 221 comprises at least one local wireless node 600. Thewired communications network comprises at least one e-mail service 800,at least one web server 900, and a fixed network 700 in communicationwith the long-range wireless cellular network 219, the short-range localarea network 221, the e-mail services 800 and the web servers 900.

The BSSs 400 of the long-range wireless cellular network 219 communicatewith the core network 500 via a wired or optical link, and provide abridge between the wireless communication devices 200 and the corenetwork 500.

As shown, each BSS 400 includes a Base Station Controller (BSC) 402 anda plurality of Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) 404. Each BTS 404includes one or more radio transceivers, the coverage area of eachdefining a long-range radio system cell. Preferably, the BTSs 404 areconfigured to communicate with the wireless communication devices 200over the radio system cells via a long-range wireless communicationsprotocol, such as GSM and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).However, the BSSs 404 may implement other long-range communicationprotocols.

Each BTS 404 is connected to the BSC 402 via a wired or optical link.The BSC 402 acts as a physical connection between the handheldcommunication device 200 and the core network 500.

Preferably, the core network 500 facilitates digital communicationbetween the handheld communication devices 200 and the fixed network700. Preferably, the core network 500 implements data (e.g. GPRS/EDGE)and/or telephony communications protocols. The core network 500communicates with the fixed network 700 via a wired or optical link, andacts as switching node to the fixed network 700. Typically, the fixednetwork 700 comprises a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or anIntegrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).

The local wireless node 600 of the short-range wireless local areanetwork 221 communicates with the fixed network 700 via a wired oroptical link, and provides a bridge between the local wirelesscommunication devices 200 and the fixed network 700. As shown, the localwireless node 600 includes a wireless base station 602, and a local basestation controller 604 coupled to the wireless base station 602.

The base station 602 includes one or more radio transceivers, thecoverage area of each defining a local area cell. Preferably, the basestation 602 communicates with the local wireless communication devices200 over the local area cell via a short-range wireless communicationsprotocol, such as IEEE 802.11x and/or Bluetooth. However, the wirelessbase station 602 may implement other short-range wireless communicationsprotocols.

The base station 602 is connected to the local base station controller604 via a wired or optical link. The local base station controller 604acts as a physical connection between the handheld communication device200 and the fixed network 700, and facilitates digital communicationbetween the handheld communication devices 200 and the fixed network700. The local base station controller 604 communicates with the fixednetwork 700 via a wired or optical link.

The local wireless node 600 may be implemented within a privateinstitution, in which case the local base station controller 604provides restricted access to the fixed network 700 to only wirelesscommunication devices 200 that are registered users of the localwireless node 600. Alternatively, the local wireless node 600 may beimplemented at public site, in which case the local base stationcontroller 604 provides unrestricted access to the fixed network 700.

Each e-mail service 800 comprises an e-mail server 802 and anauthorization database 804 in communication with the e-mail server 802,and provides e-mail services for the handheld communication devices 200.The e-mail server 802 maintains an e-mail account for each registereduser of the e-mail service 800, including the e-mail messages that aresent from and received in each e-mail account. Typically, the e-mailserver 802 comprises a Microsoft Outlook Exchange Server, NovellGroupwise Server or other e-mail server solution, configured with aBlackberry Enterprise Server option (all trade-marks).

The authorization database 804 includes authorization records for eache-mail account. Typically, the authorization records comprise uniquePersonal Identification Number (PIN) entries which identify the handheldcommunication device 200 associated with each e-mail account, andencryption keys which the e-mail server 802 uses for the encrypteddelivery of e-mail messages between the e-mail server 802 and thehandheld communication devices 200.

Each web server 900 implements a web site having content for renderingon the handheld communication devices 200. Preferably, the web server900 provides the handheld communication devices 200 with web pages thathave limited content. Alternatively, or additionally, the web server mayserve web pages that are written in WML (Wireless Markup Language).

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a sample handheld communicationdevice 200 in accordance with an embodiment. Preferably, the handheldcommunication device 200 is a two-way wireless communication devicehaving at least voice and data communication capabilities, and isconfigured to operate within the wireless cellular network 219 and/orthe local area wireless network 221. Further, preferably the handheldcommunication device 200 has the capability to communicate with othercomputer services that are available via the Internet, such as thee-mail service 800 and the web server 900. Depending on the exactfunctionality provided, the wireless handheld communication device 200may be referred to as a data messaging device, a two-way pager, awireless e-mail device, a cellular telephone with data messagingcapabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, or a data communicationdevice, as examples.

As shown, the handheld communication device 200 includes a display 222,a function key 246, and data processing means 202 (not shown) disposedwithin a common housing 201. The display 222 comprises a backlit LCDdisplay. The data processing means 202 is in communication with thedisplay 222 and the function key 246. In one implementation, the backlitdisplay 222 comprises a transmissive LCD display, and the function key246 operates as a power on/off switch. Alternatively, in anotherimplementation, the backlit display 222 comprises a reflective ortrans-reflective LCD display, and the function key 246 operates as abacklight switch.

In addition to the display 222 and the function key 246, the handheldcommunication device 200 includes user data input means for inputtingdata to the data processing means 202. As shown, preferably the userdata input means includes a keyboard 232, a thumbwheel 248 and an escapekey 260. The keyboard 232 includes alphabetic and numerical keys, andpreferably also includes a “Send” key and an “End” key to respectivelyinitiate and terminate voice communication. However, the data inputmeans is not limited to these forms of data input. For instance, thedata input means may include a trackball or other pointing deviceinstead of (or in addition to) the thumbwheel 248.

Further, preferably the handheld communication device 200 includes alight emitting diode ‘LED’ (not shown) and vibrator (not shown) that arecoupled to the data processing means 202 and respectively provide avisual and tactile notification of a notification event to the user ofthe handheld communication device 200. Possible notification eventssuitable for notification by the LED and/or vibrator include a usernotification of an incoming e-mail message, text message and/or atelephone call. Further, as will be discussed below, another possiblenotification event suitable for notification by the LED and/or vibratoris a notification that one or more wireless communication modes areavailable and/or have become unavailable to the handheld communicationdevice 200.

As shown in FIG. 3, the data processing means 202 comprises amicroprocessor 238 in communication with flash memory 224 and volatilememory (RAM) 226. The flash memory 224 includes computer processinginstructions which, when executed by the microprocessor 238, implementan operating system, computer programs, and operating system specificapplications. The operating system includes an Open SystemsInterconnection (OSI) communication protocol stack that allows thehandheld communication device 200 to send and receive communicationsignals over the wireless cellular network 219 and the local areawireless network 221. Alternatively, the computer processinginstructions may be copied from the flash memory 224 into the RAM 226upon system reset or power-up, and executed by the microprocessor 238out of the RAM 226.

The communication protocol stack of the operating system includes acommunication mode determination procedure 302, a service authorizationprocedure 304, and a communication mode indication procedure 306. Thefunctions of the communication mode determination procedure 302, theservice authorization procedure 304, and communication mode indicationprocedure 306 will be discussed in greater detail below. However, it issufficient at this point to note that the communication mode indicationprocedure 306 is in communication with the communication modedetermination procedure 302 and the service authorization procedure 304,and that the service authorization procedure 304 and the communicationmode indication procedure 306 together comprise a method that indicatesthe modes of wireless communication over which the communicationservices are available to the handheld communication device 200.

It should also be understood that although the communication modedetermination procedure 302, the service authorization procedure 304 andcommunication mode indication procedure 306 are preferably implementedas a set of computer processing instructions, these procedures may beimplemented in electronics hardware instead.

FIG. 4 depicts functional details of the handheld communication device200. As shown, the handheld communication device 200 incorporates amotherboard that includes a communication subsystem 211, and themicroprocessor 238. Further, the communication device 200 also includesa SIM interface 244 if the handheld communication device 200 is intendedfor use within a GSM network, and/or a RUIM interface 244 if thehandheld communication device 200 is intended for use within a CDMAnetwork. The communication subsystem 211 performs communicationfunctions, such as data and voice communications, and includes a primarytransmitter/receiver 212, a secondary transmitter/receiver 214, aprimary internal antenna 216 for the primary transmitter/receiver 212, asecondary internal antenna 218 for the secondary transmitter/receiver214, and local oscillators (LOs) 213 and one or more digital signalprocessors (DSP) 220 coupled to the transmitter/receivers 212, 214.

The communication subsystem 211 sends and receives wirelesscommunication signals over the wireless cellular network 219 via theprimary transmitter/receiver 212 and the primary internal antenna 216.The communication subsystem 211 also sends and receives wirelesscommunication signals over the local area wireless network 221 via thesecondary transmitter/receiver 214 and the secondary internal antenna218.

Signals received by the primary internal antenna 216 from the wirelesscellular network 219 are input to the receiver section of the primarytransmitter/receiver 212, which performs common receiver functions suchas frequency down conversion, and analog to digital (A/D) conversion, inpreparation for more complex communication functions performed by theDSP 220. Signals to be transmitted over the wireless cellular network219 are processed by the DSP 220 and input to transmitter section of theprimary transmitter/receiver 212 for digital to analog conversion,frequency up conversion, and transmission over the wireless cellularnetwork 219 via the primary internal antenna 216.

Similarly, signals received by the secondary internal antenna 218 fromthe local area wireless network 221 are input to the receiver section ofthe secondary transmitter/receiver 214, which performs common receiverfunctions such as frequency down conversion, and analog to digital (A/D)conversion, in preparation for more complex communication functionsperformed by the DSP 220. Signals to be transmitted over the local areawireless network 221 are processed by the DSP 220 and input totransmitter section of the secondary transmitter/receiver 214 fordigital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, and transmissionover the local area wireless network 221 via the secondary internalantenna 218. As discussed above, the communication subsystem 211 mayinclude more than one DSP 220, in which case the signals transmitted andreceived by the secondary transmitter/receiver 214 would preferably beprocessed by a different DSP than the primary transmitter/receiver 212.

The SIM/RUIM interface 244 is similar to a card-slot into which aSIM/RUIM card can be inserted and ejected like a diskette or PCMCIAcard. The SIM/RUIM card holds many key configurations 251, and otherinformation 253 including subscriber identification information, such asthe International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) that is associatedwith the handheld communication device 200, and subscriber-relatedinformation, such as the unique PIN that is assigned to the handheldcommunication device 200.

The microprocessor 238 controls the overall operation of the device,interacting with device subsystems such as the display 222, flash memory224, RAM 226, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 228, data port230, keyboard 232, speaker 234, microphone 236, short-rangecommunications subsystem 240, and device subsystems 242. The data port230 may comprise a RS-232 port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port orother wired data communication port.

As shown, the flash memory 224 includes both computer program storage258 and program data storage 250, 252, 254 and 256. Computer processinginstructions are preferably also stored in the flash memory 224 or othersimilar non-volatile storage. Other computer processing instructions mayalso be loaded into a volatile memory such as RAM 226. The computerprocessing instructions, when accessed from the memory 224, 226 andexecuted by the microprocessor 238 define the operating system, computerprograms, operating system specific applications. The computerprocessing instructions may be installed onto the handheld communicationdevice 200 upon manufacture, or may be loaded through the wirelessnetwork 219, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 228, the data port 230, theshort-range communications subsystem 240, or the device subsystem 242.

The operating system allows the handheld communication device 200 tooperate the display 222, the auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems228, data port 230, keyboard 232, speaker 234, microphone 236,short-range communications subsystem 240, and device subsystems 242. Onefunction implemented by the operating system is to display informationon the display 222. Typically, the computer programs includecommunication software that configures the handheld communication device200 to receive one or more communication services. For instance, thecommunication software may include internet browser, e-mail andtelephone software that respectively allow the handheld communicationdevice 200 to communicate with various computer servers over theInternet, send and receive e-mail, and initiate and receive telephonecalls.

In data communication mode, a received text message or web page downloadwill be processed by the communication subsystem 211 and output to thedisplay 222, or alternatively to an auxiliary I/O device 228. A user ofthe handheld communication device 200 may compose data items such asemail messages for example, using the keyboard 232. Such composed itemsmay then be transmitted over the wireless cellular network 219 or thelocal area wireless network 221 through the communication subsystem 211.

For voice communications, overall operation of the handheldcommunication device 200 is similar, except that received signals wouldpreferably be output to the speaker 234 and signals for transmissionwould be generated by a microphone 236. Further, the display 222 mayprovide an indication of the identity of a calling party, the durationof a voice call, or other voice call related information for example.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart that depicts, by way of overview, the methodimplemented in the handheld communication device 200 for indicating thecommunication services that are available to the handheld communicationdevice 200. The communication device 200 is configured to receivewireless communication services via at least one mode of wirelesscommunication.

At step S100, the handheld communication device 200 receives a serviceindication concerning the communication service(s) that is/are availableto the handheld communication device 200 via the wireless communicationmode(s) that are available to the handheld communication device 200. Inthe example shown in FIG. 1, the communication services comprise thee-mail service 800 and the web server 900. However, the disclosure isnot limited to any particular services. For instance, in one variation,the communications network 100 includes a telephony service, a textmessaging service, a virtual private network (VPN) service, and a globalpositioning system (GPS)-mapping service. Other quantities andcomplements of communication services fall within the scope of thedisclosure.

The handheld communication device 200 receives the service indicationfrom a provider of the communication service via a wireless non-trafficchannel of the wireless communication mode. In the example shown in FIG.1, the wireless cellular network 219 comprises one mode of wirelesscommunication, and the local area wireless network 221 comprises anothermode of wireless communication. However, the disclosure is not solimited.

For instance, in one variation, the communications network 100 includesa plurality of non-overlapping local area wireless networks 221, inwhich case each local area wireless network 221 comprises a distinctmode of wireless communication.

Based on the service indications that are received by the communicationdevice 200, at step S102 the communication device 200 provides auser-indication of the available communication services based on thereceived service indication. Typically, the communication device 200provides a visual indication of the available communication services viathe display 222.

Alternatively, or additionally, the LED may be flashed at one rate,and/or with one colour, when the communication device 200 roams into ageographic region that offers a communication mode that was unavailableto the communication device 200 in a prior geographic region. The LEDmay be flashed at a different rate, and/or with a different colour, whenthe communication device 200 roams into a geographic region that doesnot offer a communication mode that was available to the communicationdevice 200 in a prior geographic region.

Further, the communication device 200 may provide a tactile indicationof the available communication services, such as via the vibrator. Inthis latter variation, the vibrator may become activated when thecommunication device 200 roams into a geographic region that offers acommunication mode that was unavailable to the communication device 200in a prior geographic region. Alternatively (or additionally), thevibrator may become activated when the communication device 200 roamsinto a geographic region that does not offer a communication mode thatwas available to the communication device 200 in a prior geographicregion.

Other user-indications are contemplated by the embodiment, such as audioindications via the speaker 234. Further, the user indications maycomprise combinations of two or more of the foregoing notificationmodes.

FIG. 6 depicts, in detail, the sequence of steps performed by thehandheld communication device 200 when indicating the communicationmodes over which the communication services are available to thecommunication device 200. Initially, the user of the handheldcommunication device 200 pre-registers to have access to one or morewireless communication modes, if required. For instance, typically auser must pre-register (i.e. subscribe to a wireless coverage plan) tohave access to the wireless cellular network 219. Alternatively,however, typically a user need not pre-register to have access to thelocal area wireless network 221.

Initially, the user of the handheld communication device 200 alsopre-registers to have access to one or more services on the handheldcommunication device 200. In the example shown in FIG. 1, thecommunication services comprise the e-mail service 800 and the webserver 900. However, as discussed above, the communication services mayalso include other services, such as a telephony service, a textmessaging service, a virtual private network (VPN) service, and/or aglobal positioning system (GPS)-mapping service.

One or more of these communication services may be pay-for-use services.For instance, the local wireless node 600 might be implemented at acafé, in which case the services of the local wireless node 600 mightonly be available to customers of the café. The e-mail service 800, thetelephony service, and the text messaging service may be available onlyby subscription. Accordingly, at step S200, the user of the handheldcommunication device 200 pre-registers with the provider of thepay-for-use service(s) prior to gaining access to the service.

The service provider of the pay-for-use service maintains records foreach registered user of the pay-for-use communication service. Asdiscussed above, typically the e-mail service 800 maintains theserecords in the authorization database 804.

Other communication services may be restricted, for security reasons, tocertain pre-authorized users. For instance, the web server 900 maycomprise a business intranet, which is available only to authorizedemployees. A business VPN service would also typically be available onlyto authorized employees. Accordingly, at step S200, the user of thehandheld communication device 200 also pre-registers with the providerof the restricted service(s) prior to gaining access to the service. Asabove, the service provider maintains records for each registered userof the restricted communication service.

Conversely, other communication services may be unrestricted. Forinstance, the local wireless node 600, the web service 900 and theGPS-mapping service may be publicly available. The user of the handheldcommunication device 200 would not have to register with the provider ofthe unrestricted services, at step S200, to gain access to the service.

After the user of the handheld communication device 200 pre-registerswith the wireless communication mode and communication service providers(as may be required), the communication device 200 determines thecommunication modes that are available in the geographical region inwhich the communication device 200 is currently located. To do so, atstep 5202 the communication mode selection procedure 302 detects thepresence of carrier signals at the primary internal antenna 216 and thesecondary internal antenna 218, and then initiates any requiredhandshaking to establish communication protocol parameters.

Further, if required by the detected communication mode (e.g. thewireless cellular network 219), the communication mode selectionprocedure 302 initiates registration with the detected communicationmode by transmitting subscriber information to the communication modeprovider. If the user of the handheld communication device 200 isauthorized to use the detected communication mode, the communicationmode provider responds to the communication mode selection procedure 302with a confirmatory notice.

The communication mode selection procedure 302 then notifies the serviceauthorization procedure 304 of the confirmed communication modes.

For instance, if the wireless cellular network 219 is a GSM network, andthe handheld communication device 200 has recently powered up, thecommunication mode selection procedure 302 registers with GSM network bytransmitting the IMSI of the handheld communication device 200 to theGSM network provider. If the user of the handheld communication device200 is authorized to use the detected communication mode, the networkprovider responds to the IMSI with a Temporary Mobile SubscriberIdentity (TMSI).

Once the handheld communication device 200 has registered with thedetected communication modes (if required), at step S204 the serviceauthorization procedure 304 establishes communication with thecommunication service providers that provide the communication servicesfor which the handheld communication device 200 is configured withcommunication software. The service authorization procedure 304 thenrequests information concerning the availability of the associatedcommunication services at the handheld communication device 200.

For instance, if the handheld communication device 200 is configuredwith telephony communication software, the service authorizationprocedure 304 requests information from the provider of the telephonyservices indicating whether the user of the communication device 200 isauthorized to have telephony services at the communication device 200.If the handheld communication device 200 is configured with e-mailcommunication software, the service authorization procedure 304 requestsinformation from the provider of the e-mail service 800 indicatingwhether the user of the communication device 200 is authorized toreceive e-mail services at the communication device 200.

Typically, the service information request includes an indication of thecommunication service for which the availability is requested.Preferably, the service information request for pay-for-use andrestricted services also include subscriber identification information(e.g. the PIN) that is associated with the user of the handheldcommunication device 200.

The communication pathway with the communication service providersvaries with the confirmed communication modes, as received from thecommunication mode selection procedure 302. For instance, if the onlywireless communication mode that is available to the handheldcommunication device 200 is the wireless cellular network 219, theservice authorization procedure 304 establishes communication with theservice providers via the wireless cellular network 219. In this case,at step S204 preferably the service authorization procedure 304 issuesthe service information requests over a non-traffic channel of thewireless cellular network 219.

If the only wireless communication mode that is available to thehandheld communication device 200 is the local area wireless network221, the service authorization procedure 304 establishes communicationwith the service providers via the local area wireless network 221. Inthis case, at step S204 preferably the service authorization procedure304 issues the service information requests over a non-traffic channelof the local area wireless network 221.

Further, if the handheld communication device 200 is able to communicateover both the wireless cellular network 219 and the local area wirelessnetwork 221, to reduce communication costs preferably the serviceauthorization procedure 304 establishes communication with the serviceproviders via the local area wireless network 221. In this case, at stepS204 preferably the service authorization procedure 304 issues theservice information requests over a non-traffic channel of the localarea wireless network 221.

Upon receipt of the service information requests, at step S206 theservice provider(s) determines the communication service(s) that areavailable to the handheld communication device 200. To do so, theservice provider verifies that the service is online. Further, in thecase of a pay-per-use service and a restricted service, the serviceprovider queries its records of registered users with the receivedsubscriber identification information to determine if the handheldcommunication device 200 that issued the service information request isauthorized to receive the specified service(s).

At step S208, the service provider responds to the service authorizationprocedure 304 with a service response message indicating whether thespecified service is available to the handheld communication device 200.Preferably, the service provider issues the service response message viaa non-traffic channel of the wireless communication mode over which theservice authorization procedure 304 issued the service informationrequest. With this approach, the service response message implicitlyindicates the wireless communication mode (if any) over which thespecified service is available to the handheld communication device 200.

The service authorization procedure 304 notifies the communication modeindication procedure 306 of the confirmed communication service(s),together with the associated confirmed communication modes. At stepS210, the communication mode indication procedure 306 provides auser-indication of the communication service availabilities based on theservice response messages that are received by the service authorizationprocedure 304. Preferably, the user-indication of communication serviceavailability explicitly indicates the wireless communication mode overwhich the specified service is available to the handheld communicationdevice 200.

For instance, if the handheld communication device 200 issued theservice information request over the wireless cellular network 219, atstep S208 the service provider issues the service response message overthe wireless cellular network 219. If the specified service(s) wasonline and available to the handheld communication device 200, theservice response message would indicate that the service that wasspecified in the service information request was available to thehandheld communication device 200. Therefore, the user-indication ofcommunication service availability would explicitly indicate that thespecified service was available to the handheld communication device 200via the wireless cellular network 219.

If the handheld communication device 200 issued the service informationrequests over the local area wireless network 221, at step S208 theservice provider issues the service response message over the local areawireless network 221. If the specified service(s) was online andavailable to the handheld communication device 200, the service responsemessage would indicate that the service that was specified in theservice information request was available to the handheld communicationdevice 200. Therefore, the user-indication of communication serviceavailability would explicitly indicate that the specified service wasavailable to the handheld communication device 200 via the local areawireless network 221.

Conversely, if the specified service(s) was either not online or notavailable to the handheld communication device 200, the service responsemessage would indicate that the service that was specified in theservice information request was not available to the handheldcommunication device 200. Therefore, the user-indication ofcommunication service availability would explicitly indicate that thespecified service was not available to the handheld communication device200 via either the wireless cellular network 219 or the local areawireless network 221.

The communication device 200 continuously determines the communicationmodes that are available in the geographical region in which thecommunication device 200 is currently located, and periodically notifiesthe service authorization procedure 304 of any changes in the confirmedcommunication modes. Therefore, if the handheld communication device 200moves from a region serviced by one communication mode to anothercommunication mode, the communication mode indication procedure 306would dynamically update the user-indication of the communicationservices, at step S210.

For instance, if the handheld communication device 200 moved from aregion that was serviced by the wireless cellular network 219 to aregion that was serviced by the local area wireless network 221, thecommunication mode selection procedure 302 would detect the change incarrier signals, register with the local area wireless network 221 (ifrequired), and then notify the service authorization procedure 304 ofthe change in wireless communication mode at step S202. At step S204,the service authorization procedure 304 requests information concerningthe availability of the communication services via the local areawireless network 221. The communication mode indication procedure 306updates the user-indication of communication service availability, basedon the new service response message received by the serviceauthorization procedure 304 at step S208.

Preferably, the communication mode indication procedure 306 generatesthe user-indication of communication service availability as one or moregraphical information screens on the LCD display 222. The graphicalinformation screen, shown in FIG. 7 a, comprises a service mode menu 950that lists the communication modes for which the handheld communicationdevice 200 has communication software. For instance, the service modemenu 950 includes an “EDGE” menu entry 952, a “Starbuck's” menu entry954, and a “Jabra Headset” menu entry 956 which respectively indicatethat the handheld communication device 200 has communication softwarefor EDGE network communication, WiFi network communication, andBluetooth communication. Further, the menu also includes an icon next toeach of the foregoing menu entries which indicates whether eachcommunication mode is available to the handheld communication device200.

In the menu shown in FIG. 7 a, the icon comprises a green circle whichindicates that the associated communication mode is available to thehandheld communication device 200. A complementary colour, such as red,would indicate that the associated communication mode is not available.However, the disclosure is not limited to coloured icons. For instance,to accommodate colour blind users, complementary text icons, such as“ON” and “OFF” icons, may be used to indicate that the associatedcommunication mode availability. Further, text icons may be combinedwith coloured icons to enhance the notification function of the servicemode availability.

The graphical information screen, shown in FIG. 7 b, which is accessiblefrom the service mode menu of FIG. 7 a, provides more detailedinformation concerning the communication services and modes. As shown,the graphical information screen of FIG. 7 b comprises a service statustable 1000 that lists the communication services for which the handheldcommunication device 200 has communication software. For instance, theservice status table 1000 includes a “Voice Calling” heading 1002, a“Blackberry Internet Service” heading 1004, and a “Blackberry EnterpriseService” heading 1006 which respectively indicate that the handheldcommunication device 200 has communication software for voice telephonyservices, public e-mail/internet services, and corporate e-mail/internetservices which are only available to the handheld communication device200 through the corporation's firewall.

The service status table 1000 also specifies the wireless communicationmode(s) (if any) over which each communication service is available tothe handheld communication device 200. As shown, the service statustable includes a “Mobile Network” icon, a “WiFi” icon, and a “notconnected” icon, each associated with the voice telephony services,public e-mail/internet services, and private e-mail/internet services.The “Mobile Network” icon, when active, indicates that the associatedservice is currently available to the handheld communication device 200via the wireless cellular network 219. The “WiFi” icon, when active,indicates that the associated service is currently available to thehandheld communication device 200 either via the local area wirelessnetwork 221.

The “not connected” icon, when active, indicates that the associatedservice is currently unavailable to the handheld communication device200. The “not connected” icon may be active when the user of thehandheld communication device 200 is not authorized to receive theassociated service, or there aren't any wireless communication modescurrently available to the handheld communication device 200.

Preferably, the service status table 1000 also provides configurationinformation for the available wireless communication modes. Forinstance, as shown in FIG. 7 b, the service status table 1000 includes along-range network section that provides configuration information forthe wireless cellular network 219. As shown, the long-range networksection includes a “Mobile Network” heading 1008 which has an associated“EDGE” icon, and “not connected” icon. The “EDGE” icon, when active,indicates that data communication services are available over thewireless cellular network 219 using the EDGE communication protocol. The“not connected” icon, when active, indicates that data communicationservices are not available to the handheld communication device 200 overthe wireless cellular network 219.

The long-range network section also includes a “Mobile Network Provider”heading 1010 which has an associated “Service Provider|Network Provider”subfield, and “not connected” icon. The “Service Provider|NetworkProvider” subfield indicates the name of the provider of the confirmeddata communication service, and the name of the provider of theconfirmed wireless cellular network 219. The “not connected” icon, whenactive, indicates that either that the wireless cellular network 219 isnot available to the handheld communication device 200, or that no datacommunication services are available to the handheld communicationdevice 200 via the wireless cellular network 219.

The service status table 1000 also includes a short-range networksection that provides configuration information for the local areawireless network 221. As shown, the short-range network section includesa “Type” field 1012, a “SSID” field 1014, and an “Active Profile” field1016, each associated with the local area wireless network 221. The“Type” field 1012 indicates the wireless communication protocol (if any)implemented by the local area wireless network 221. The “SSID” field1014 indicates the name of the provider of the local area wirelessnetwork 221. The “Active Profile” field 1016 indicates the profile namedefined by the provider of the local area wireless network 221.

The scope of the monopoly desired for the disclosure is defined by theclaims appended hereto, with the foregoing description being merelyillustrative of the preferred embodiment of the disclosure. Persons ofordinary skill may envisage modifications to the described embodimentwhich, although not explicitly suggested herein, do not depart from thescope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.

1. A method of indicating availability of services to a communicationdevice, comprising: receiving a service indication of availability of acommunication service from a first communications network and a secondcommunications network via a non-traffic channel of each of the firstand the second communications networks; when the communication serviceis available to the communication device from both the secondcommunications network and the first communications network, issuing aservice information request to the second communications network overthe non-traffic channel of the second communications network; andflashing an indicator on the communication device at a first rate whenthe communication device roams from a first geographic region into asecond geographic region and the second geographic region provides acommunication mode for the communication device that is not available tothe communication device in the first geographic region.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: flashing the indicator at asecond rate when the communication device roams from the firstgeographic region into the second geographic region and the secondgeographic region does not provide a communication mode for thecommunication device that is available to the communication device inthe first geographic region.
 3. The method according to claim 2,wherein: the first communications network is a cellular communicationsnetwork; and the second communications network is a local area network.4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: generating textinformation screen depicting a table specifying the availability of thecommunication services to the communication device.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: when the service is availableto the communication device from only the first communications network,issuing the service information request to the first communicationsnetwork over the non-traffic channel of the first communicationsnetwork.
 6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:continuously monitoring the availabilities of the first communicationsnetwork and the second communications network for the communicationdevice; and upon detecting a condition that the communication devicecannot utilize the first communications network, but can utilize thesecond communications network, establishing communications for thecommunication service through the second communications network.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the communication service comprisesany of an internet service, an e-mail communication service or a voicetelephony service.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein theservice indication comprises an indication of an authorization for useof the communication service.
 9. The method according to claim 1,further comprising providing an indication of the communication servicevia one of a display icon and a tactile indicator.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the indicator is a light emitting diode(LED).
 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising prior toreceiving the service indication: transmitting a service informationrequest from the communication device requesting an indication ofavailability of the communication service at the communication device toa provider of the communication service over the non-traffic channel ofan available communication mode of the communication device.
 12. Acommunication device comprising: a microprocessor; memory; a serviceauthorization procedure stored in the memory providing instructions tothe microprocessor to: receive a service indication of availability of acommunication service from a cellular network and a local area network,via a non-traffic channel of the cellular network and the local areanetwork without opening traffic channels of the cellular network and thelocal area network; issue a service information request to the localarea network over the non-traffic channel of the local area network whenservice from both the cellular network and the local area network areavailable to the communication device; and issue the service informationrequest to the cellular network over the non-traffic channel of thecellular network when service from only the cellular network isavailable to the communication device; and a communication modeindicating procedure stored in the memory providing instructions to themicroprocessor to flash an indicator on the communication device at afirst rate when the communication device roams from a first geographicregion into a second geographic region and that second geographic regionprovides a communication mode for the communication device that isunavailable to the communication device in the first geographic region.13. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the serviceauthorization procedure further provides instructions to themicroprocessor to: issue a service information request to the local areanetwork over the non-traffic channel of the local area network whenservice from the local area network is available to the communicationdevice.
 14. The communication device according to claim 11, wherein thecommunication mode indicating procedure further provides instructions tothe microprocessor to: generate a text information screen depicting atable specifying availability of the communication service to thecommunication device.
 15. The communication device according to claim12, wherein the cellular network utilizes a high-speed short-rangecommunication protocol and the local area network utilizes a low-speedlong-range communication protocol.
 16. The communication deviceaccording to claim 13, wherein the communication service comprises anyof an Internet service, an e-mail communication service or a voicetelephony service.
 17. The communication device according to claim 11,wherein the service indication comprises an indication of anauthorization for use of the cellular network or the local area network.18. The communication device according to claim 11, wherein theuser-indication comprises one of a display icon and a tactile indicatorfor indicating accessibilities of the cellular network or the local areanetwork at the communication device.
 19. A tangible computer readablemedium carrying processing instructions for a communication device, theprocessing instructions, when executed by a computer microprocessor ofthe communication device, enabling the communication device to performthe following steps: receiving a service indication of availability of acommunication service from a cellular network and a local area networkvia a non-traffic channel of the cellular network and the local areanetwork; when the communication service is available to thecommunication device from both the cellular network and the local areanetwork, issuing the service information request to the local areanetwork over the non-traffic channel of the local area network; when thecommunication service is available to the communication device from onlythe cellular network, issuing the service information request to thecellular network over the non-traffic channel of the cellular network;and flashing an indicator on the communication device at a first ratewhen the communication device roams from a first geographic region intoa second geographic region and the second geographic region provides acommunication mode for the communication device that is unavailable tothe communication device in the first geographic region.
 20. Thetangible computer readable medium carrying processing instructions for acommunication device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the processinginstructions, when executed by the computer microprocessor of thecommunication device further enable the communication device to performthe following step: when the communication service is available to thecommunication device from the local area network, issuing a serviceinformation request to the local area network over the non-trafficchannel of the local area network.